Blog Tour: One Moment at Sunrise – Karen Aldous

Welcome to the One Moment at Sunrise blog tour!

Synopsis: Escape to the south of France with the irresistibly compelling new story from Karen Aldous – the only book you’ll need this summer!

Nothing will ever be the same again…

Evie Grant has spent two years hidden away in a quiet French village, longing to escape her beautiful villa with its blue-shuttered windows. Maybe this summer, the father of her child will keep his broken promises and return to whisk her away to another life. One way or another, Evie’s determined to stop feeling like his dirty little secret…

Yet when a mysterious stranger almost knocks Evie off her bicycle early one morning, her world begins to change in ways she never expected. Embarking on a painful journey of self-discovery, Evie begins to face her darkest fears and shatter her fragile dreams. But can she ever truly break free from her gilded cage and learn to love again?

My Review

This is one of those books where I wished that I was lying on a sunlounger somewhere hot whilst reading it, most definitely a lovely holiday read!

One Moment at Sunrise opens with Evie cycling and being involved in an accident with 2 shire horses. It turns out she’s accidentally cycled onto a film set! Evie is attended to by a medic and meets the lovely Ben, film director and producer, who is very concerned that Evie is ok. Ben and his crew are filming the life story of Pierre-Paul Riquet, who built the Canal du Midi, and the challenges he had to overcome.

Evie lives a lonely life, hidden away in the South of France with her young daughter, Charlotte. Evie is estranged from her parents because of her relationship with the famous singer, Seb Wilde. Evie and Seb do not have a normal relationship, it is clear from the outset that Seb has her hidden away to protect his career, his publicity isn’t focused on being a family man however there is more to this than meets the eye. Seb, albeit never around, is very controlling of Evie – she’s not allowed a job, friends, modern technology such as a laptop, phone or internet or for people to know who he is. Evie also has a distant relationship with her big sister Cally but she does come to visit providing Evie with some company, along with the friendship she has formed with her neighbour Suzanne.

Evie gets involved with the Riquet production by researching the women that Ben has inadvertently left out of the story, she unearths some information which changes the scripts for the production and Ben is very grateful for her work. This gives Evie a thirst for working and a little more independence despite Seb prohibiting her from working. Evie starts to see through the fairytale of Seb and wants more than the half-life that her and Charlotte are currently living.

This is the first book I have read from this author however it is her fourth novel. Initially I found it a little hard to get into because I was frustrated by how compliant and accepting of Seb’s double life Evie is however it is clear that she is heavy manipulated by Seb to be this way. There is a relaxed pace to this book, with the tension building up slowly and as more is revealed, the story picks up pace. The characters, other than Seb, are very likeable. Ben is both charming and genuine (and very handsome!), Suzanne is loyal and protective of Evie and Charlotte, and Cally is trying to rebuild not only her relationship with Evie but also build bridges between Evie and their parents.

One Moment at Sunrise is a light easy read, one that you will wish whisks you away to the south of France!

Buy the book

Giveaway

About the Author:

Karen Aldous enjoys village life on the edge of the north-downs in Kent with easy access to the buzz of London. Not only does she love the passive pleasures of reading and writing, she also craves the more active pursuits with her family and friends such as walking, cycling and skiing especially when they involve food and wine!

Karen gets much of her inspiration from her travels and if she had to choose, France, Greece, Switzerland, Italy and the USA would be her favourites. However, wherever she goes, she discovers a new character emerges in ‘Karen’s World’. She likes to write about strong independent women who can direct their own lives – but struggle to control them! And, of course there’s always a gorgeous hunk or two!